He didn’t make the crowd gasp with a frightening fall or cheer with a last-second jumper, but Nene’s return from a sore right shoulder was essential to the Wizards’ success during a 90-87 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday at Verizon Center.

The Brazilian big man’s absence was certainly felt in the Wizards’ previous two losses against Detroit and New York, but he came back – wearing a one-armed, white T-shirt and some extra padding on his sore right shoulder – to help Washington have one of its best defensive performances of the season and win the rebounding edge over the 76ers.

“Still hurting,” Nene said of his shoulder, “but I play with pain. The good thing we won the game. But a big step.”